Comparison

Chronodev vs DevelopFilm

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Chronodev

This app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a darkroom enlarger timer. It uses HomeKit-enabled devices to control your enlarger and safelights, offering features like manual control, metronome for dodging/burning, and automatic test strip creation.

Highlights
  • iPhone/iPad enlarger timer
  • HomeKit device control
  • Manual enlarger focusing
  • Metronome for dodging/burning
  • EV stop time adjustments
  • Automatic test strip creation
  • Voice control support
Read full description

Transform your iPhone into an enlarger timer using Chronodev. Chronodev uses HomeKit-enabled wall plugs and lightbulbs to control your enlarger and safelights. Secondhand enlarger timers can be expensive and hard to find. This one costs the price of a wi-fi wall plug. - Control your enlarger and safelight with your iPhone or iPad - Expose prints accurately using the HomeKit-enabled timer - Manual enlarger control for focusing - Use the metronome for dodging and burning - Adjust times using EV stops - Automatically create test strips with incremental exposures, and keep track of exposure times using a handy graph - Automatically turn your safelight off when exposing/focusing - Voice control support for hands-free development - Safe to use in black and white darkrooms when using iOS's built-in red color filter A HomeKit-enabled wall plug and/or lightbulb is required to use all features of this app. Some features (like a basic timer and EV stop calculations) are available without a HomeKit-enabled device.

About

DevelopFilm

This app is a pocket darkroom companion for black-and-white film development. It offers official developing times, a smart timer with agitation guidance, and full process control. Track your film details and parameters in a built-in journal to refine your workflow and achieve consistent results.

Highlights
  • Official developing times database
  • Smart timer with agitation guidance
  • Full process control adjustments
  • Built-in film roll journal
  • Quick custom timer
  • Darkroom-ready minimal interface
Features
Read full description

Your pocket darkroom for black-and-white film. DevelopFilm is a complete darkroom companion designed to help you develop film with confidence — whether it’s your first roll or your hundredth. Official developing times: Access precise data from manufacturer datasheets for Adox, Bergger, Foma, Fujifilm, Ilford, Kentmere, Kodak, Rollei, and more. The library is continuously expanding. Smart timer with agitation guidance: Run a clean dual-phase timer for developing and fixing, with built-in agitation reminders and visual alerts. Full process control: Adjust by temperature, developer reuse, push/pull stops, processing vessel, fixer, stop bath, toners, and more — everything that affects your final look. Built-in journal: Keep track of every roll. Save your film details, developing parameters, notes, and photos so you can repeat your best results or refine your workflow. Quick Timer: Need flexibility? Set a custom time and start developing instantly. Darkroom-ready design: A minimal, dark-mode interface that stays readable under safe lights and keeps you focused on the process. Whether you’re new to film developing or refining your craft, DevelopFilm helps you stay consistent, learn faster, and enjoy every step of the process. Upgrade to Darkroom Pass to unlock pro features like push/pull adjustments, fixer timer, and photo journaling. Terms of Use: mirnijatom.github.io/terms.html Privacy Policy: mirnijatom.github.io/privacy.html

Screenshots

Chronodev3 screens
DevelopFilm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DevelopFilm at 5.0 against Chronodev's 4.5. DevelopFilm also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly). Chronodev's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. DevelopFilm sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Chronodev asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DevelopFilm holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chronodev ships an update monthly, DevelopFilm every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on June 7, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Chronodev versus DevelopFilm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChronodevDevelopFilm
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKevin OlmatsAleksandrs Bertulis

Customer experience

Chronodev

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DevelopFilm

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Chronodev

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

DevelopFilm

Subscriptions2
  • Darkroom Pass Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Darkroom Pass Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$34.99

Questions

Is Chronodev free?
Chronodev is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DevelopFilm free?
DevelopFilm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chronodev or DevelopFilm?
DevelopFilm is rated higher. Chronodev averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while DevelopFilm averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Chronodev or DevelopFilm have ads?
Neither Chronodev nor DevelopFilm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chronodev or DevelopFilm?
Chronodev ships an update monthly, and DevelopFilm every 11 days. Most recently, Chronodev was updated on June 7, 2026 and DevelopFilm on September 6, 2026.

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